Chapter Text
(Eridan's pov)
Eridan frowned as the new world stretched out before them. Vast oceans filled with marine life lay to the left of the door while a soft breeze gently ruffled through the leaves of the forest to his right. Small, unfamiliar animals skittered about, seemingly unaware of the group of assorted humanoid people watching them. The air was filled with their chatter- some laughing, some crying, some simply staring at their new home in awe.
The seadweller wasn't quite sure what he expected but somehow it wasn't… This. In this promising new world modeled after the humans' earth, rife with new opportunities, he felt like he was missing something. Was this it? How it all ended? No more battles, no more games?
His thoughts were interrupted as someone mentioned his name, but it had only been an apology from one of the older humans for having bumped into him. He opened his mouth to say it was alright but by then it had been forgotten in favor of joining what appeared to be a group hug.
That must be what was missing, then, he realized. Eridan Ampora had no purpose in this new world. Back in the game he had been a valuable player, at least. But he had butchered any pretense of friendship with Karkat and couldn't even bring himself to talk to Feferi. Although he supposed Equius might accept his company if only for his blood caste, there was no way he would stoop that low.
Eridan sighed. Already standing aside from the rest of the group, no one noticed as he slipped away towards the beach. Maybe whoever was in charge of this sick game had been kind enough to leave a shipwreck or two for them.